Washington County officials have announced the permanent preservation of two farms totaling more than 240 acres, strengthening the county’s ongoing commitment to protecting agricultural land for future generations.
A 139-acre farm on Old Forge Road in Hagerstown and a 103-acre farm on Neck Road in Williamsport were both preserved through the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Funding for these efforts came from both Washington County and the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.
Both properties, known for their rolling hills and scenic views, are active cattle and crop operations. Their preservation expands a contiguous block of thousands of acres of protected farmland, supporting neighboring farms in their own conservation efforts.
The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program remains the county’s most active and impactful initiative, accounting for nearly 17,000 acres—about 39 percent—of all permanently protected agricultural land in Washington County. The program is funded and administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and managed locally by the Land Preservation Office within the Department of Planning & Zoning.
“This latest easement adds another vital piece to our preservation landscape,” said Chris Boggs, rural preservation administrator. “The County is proud to collaborate with state partners and local landowners to protect our valuable agricultural resources and promote a strong rural economy.”
Both farms are among the first to be preserved under the Fiscal Year 2024 application cycle. Interested landowners must apply by July 1 each year, with funding offers typically extended the following March.
These preservation efforts are part of a broader strategy in Washington County, which also includes the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Rural Legacy Program, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Project Open Space Stateside, the County’s Installment Purchase Program, federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, Federal Scenic Easements, and partnerships with organizations such as the Maryland Environmental Trust, Antietam Battlefield Trust, and Mid-Maryland Land Trust.
While state and federal funding provide much of the support, Washington County has increased its own financial contributions in recent years to bolster preservation and ensure a legacy of productive farmland and rural beauty.
